Nay Pyi Taw November 12
22nd ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting held through virtual conferencing
The 22nd ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting took place through virtual conferencing this morning.
It was attended by Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Commanderin- Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, army chiefs of ASEAN countries, Myanmar-based military attaches from ASEAN countries, embassy officials, senior military officers and officials.
In his opening address, the Vice-Senior General said everybody knows the global countries faced political, economic and social impacts triggered by COVID-19 which started in December 2019. Outbreak of COVID-19 left millions of global people dead, and many millions of global people suffered socioeconomic losses. On the point of security view, the pandemic impacted seven sectors related to the human security such as economic, food sufficiency, community and political security. All global countries including ASEAN countries understand to carry out prevention of the disease, control of infection and rehabilitation tasks in the post- COVID-19 period depending on their finance, human resources and infrastructures. Hence, he expected the open discussions on ways to consider the post- COVID rehabilitation of the ASEAN army chiefs who participated in battling the COVID-19 in respective countries.
Next, the movie clip was presented on holding the AARM and ACAMM from 2013 to 2019 and ACAMM in 2020 through virtual conference.
Then, the Vice-Senior General led the discussions under the title of the Role of ASEAN Armies In the Process of Rehabilitation After the COVID-19 Pandemic, saying that outbreak of COVID-19 lasts for about two years. Vaccines could be produced and vaccination could be undertaken across the world. But, it is still difficulty to control the infection of the pandemic in addition to facing the emergence of more variant species of viruses. Millions of global people are suffering from impacts of COVID-19, while the global economic is down. Rehabilitation of socio-economic life related to the businesses is of great importance on priority in the post-COVID-19 period. In so doing, it is necessary to enhance the cooperation among the global countries. Especially, ASEAN countries need to consider fighting against COVID- 19 pandemic and the post- COVID rehabilitation tasks as the common interest and need to overcome the challenges for their interests.
According to the statistics of the World Health Organization, there were 252,153,383 confirm patients and 5,088,513 dead persons in the outbreak of the pandemic up to date. Southeast Asia saw 13,491,573 confirm patients and 282,829 dead persons. Outbreak of the disease challenged the global health care system, and health staff faced irregular pressures and challenges. He praised the health staff, philanthropic volunteers and Tatmadaw members for their performance in the fighting against the COVID-19. Governments of ASEAN countries should practically apply the capability of the military sources in responding to the pandemic. Military sources need to support the civilian health staff and assist in operation of the hospitals for easing the burdens. If necessary, military affairs open the emergency treatment hospitals and deploy the military medical doctors and nurses to the relevant health centres and open the quarantine centres as part of efforts to contributing to the prevention, control and treatment activities of COVID- 19 of the government. It can be seen that the global countries because of the military history and political situations apply three types such as seeking the techniques from the military sector, military-civilian cooperation and military leadership. The global countries mostly carry out military-civilian cooperation in prevention, control and treatment activities of the pandemic.Military sources provide assistance for production of vaccines on test, and perform spraying for disinfection in necessary places to support the healthcare services in the civil sector. Moreover, military troops participate in the patrol, blockage of roads and inspection for publics in the lockdown areas for enabling the people to abide by the rules and regulations adopted by the government for declining of the infection. Due to setting the lockdown areas, supply of foods and water needs to be undertaken for avoiding the shortage of foods and waters as consequent difficulties. Moreover, the military transport of vaccines and medical equipment to the respective areas effectively contributes to the logistic measures. As such, the role of the capability of military sources can be seen in the prevention of disease infection, control and treatment activities of COVID-19.
The military source is full of skills to successfully carry out the assigned duties in the pressure- imposed situation, having the sufficient source. The military source possesses the strong points for adopting the rapid decisions and avoiding the delay process based on the vertical directive system. The military-civilian relations are essential for successfully overcoming the unconventional challenges such as the pandemic in a short time. Especially, implementation of the militarycivilian cooperation depends on importance of mutual trust and respects. If so, all will thoroughly overcome the crises and challenges. The nature of military organizations can build the whole nation as a commanding system and possesses the necessary human resources. In some countries, the military organization is formed with permanent military service personnel and reserve forces. If the country faces the emergency situation in the country, the military organization is capable of providing assistance to the frontlines. The armies from most of the countries have valuable experiences of solving the crises and difficulties of the pandemics in the past.
In respect of the concerted efforts made by the Myanmar’s Tatmadaw in the measures on COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment, he said, “Since April last year, our Myanmar Tatmadaw has been supporting the Ministry of Health in prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19 with military medical personnel across the country. So far, the Myanmar Tatmadaw has conducted COVID-19 testing for 564,777 people, including military personnel, their family members and civilians. Myanmar Tatmadaw is also cooperating with the Ministry of Health in its vaccination processes, including in transporting the vaccines to remote areas. As a result of civil-military cooperation in Myanmar, we have been able to bring down the test positivity rate of Delta variant to 4 percent in October from its peak of 30 percent in July and August following the start of the third wave of the pandemic in Myanmar. As a precautionary measure against a fourth wave of outbreaks, the Myanmar Tatmadaw has set up 98 treatment centers with 9,500 beds for emergency COVID-19 patients at military hospitals across the country. To meet oxygen requirements for patients, we have also established oxygen and liquid oxygen plants in several regions and made preparations to distribute oxygen concentrators to the areas where construction of oxygen plants is difficult.”
The military side is also experiencing a sort of pressure to a certain extent as it has joined the government in taking the measures on COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment.Therefore, it is required for the military side to review strategic policies that could be exercised to utilize its resources in various issues. Though, as per its nature, military resources are not built to respond to the pandemic, it is suggested that efficiency and abilities of the military resources should be prepared to be improved in order to face and overcome the unconventional challenges and ensure improvement of safety status of every single citizen. The role of civil-military relations that is very important in finding more effective solutions to unconventional challenges should be promoted better. Furthermore, the military side is to share its resources to assist governments concerned in taking remedial measures for socio-economic impacts caused to the State and the people due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerted efforts are to be made with might and main in carrying out the rehabilitating tasks in the post-COVID-19 period through using the military transportation system effectively to ensure speedy flow of goods, to boost agriculture and livestock businesses on a manageable scale helping the government in another way ensure adequate foods, and to revive tasks on the rule of law that were weak due to the COVID- 19 pandemic. The military side will play a vital role to a certain extent in implementing the rebuilding tasks under the leadership of governments of world nations after laying down short-term and long-term projects on recovery of the socio-economic sector in thepost-COVID-19 period. Besides, the armed forces of nations concerned should consider a budget for military spending that will not cause any impact on the economic infrastructure of the State at the time when tasks for re-establishing the socio-economic sector are being carried out. Such as the way to assist the government’s rehabilitating tasks in another way, efforts should be made to give priority to taking tasks to ensure convenience in the livelihoods of Tatmadaw members and their families, exservicemenand their families, and other people. The strategic rivalries of some major powers have made an impact on various regions, including ASEAN, as the world struggles to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic with the help of human bodies. ASEAN Centrality, ASEAN Unity and ASEAN Way are under ever-increasing threat. All ASEAN member countries need to cooperate more unitedly than before. He emphasizes that the principle of “non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries” is a different and unique symbol of ASEAN, unlike other regional organizations. Myanmar has always respected the sovereignty of other countries and has not interfered in the internal affairs of any country. However, not only at today’s ASEAN Summit, but also at meetings with dialogue partners, it is doubtful whether it has affected ASEAN Centrality, ASEAN Unity and ASEAN Way. The reason not to invite the Myanmar government leader to the ASEAN Summit is that the current government of Myanmar made no response to the five agreements reached at the ASEAN Summit on April 24, 2021. At the ASEAN Summit held on April 24, 2021, the Chairman of the State Administration Council and the Prime Minister openly discussed on the current situation of the country, future activities and attitudes. At the meeting, the Chairman of the State Administration Council and the Prime Minister emphasized three points. These three points will take into account the recommendations made to our country in relation to the current situation in the country. We will take into account ASEAN’s proposals based on internal stability. Regarding the ASEAN’s willingness to participate, I would like to remind you of the three points that were discussed for the good of the country if it is based on the ASEAN Charter, ASEAN Way and ASEAN Spirt. Although Myanmar has focused on the visit of the ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar, in addition to various negotiations and flexible requests, it is impossible to see a person facing trial, which is the existing law of the country, beyond the fact that no individual and organizations is allowed to see him. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar has issued a statement on October 22 regarding the statement issued by the Brunei Darussalam, the previous chair of ASEAN, on October 16. The statement by the ASEAN Chairman should be based on Article 20 (1) of the ASEAN Charter, which is based on consultation and consensus in making decisions and it is found that the statement by the ASEAN Chairman is against the respect on the sovereignty of the Member States, the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and non-interference in the national existence of member countries under Article 2 (2) (a), (e) and (f). Therefore, the State Administration Council and the State Government will strictly abide by the five-point roadmap of the State Administration Council, which have been in place since taking office and were explained at the ASEAN Summit. Myanmar will cooperate as much as possible in accordance with the five agreements of ASEAN. The Constitution (2008) states, “The State pursues an independent, proactive and impartial foreign policy. It seeks world peace and friendly relations. It upholds the principle of peaceful coexistence between nations”. We would like to discuss the fact that we will continue to abide by foreign policy and inform the leaders of each country through the actual situation. As such, Going beyond the ASEAN Centrality, ASEAN Unity and the ASEAN Way will not only affect Myanmar but also all the other ASEAN members at any time, in one way or another, under the colorful pressure, incitement and interventions of the non-ASEAN communities along with espionage within a united ASEAN. On the other hand, we need to be careful that there may be implications for ASEAN countries. To become a more united ASEAN community,we need to have a greater understanding, to have faith and to respect each other, stepping up from the ASEAN Armed Forces level to the national level.
I express my compassion for all the families of the entire world including ASEAN affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We humans have been able to overcome the disasters and crises the world experienced. Learning lessons from the past experiences, we have shaped a better future. Despite the fact that we are all suffering due to the global pandemic, I believe that we will be able to reach a better situation in a not-toodistant future. Our army troops have fought battles at risk of their lives. I also believe that the government hand in hand with the people will be able to defeat this COVID-19 pandemic. I wish all the ASEAN army chiefs and troops and their families safe and sound.
Next, the ASEAN army chiefs and senior military officers in attendance made their in-depth discussions in relating to the title “The Role of ASEAN Armies In the Process of Rehabilitation After the COVID-19 Pandemic.” After the discussions of the respective countries, Dr Yin Yin Nwe, adviser of the State Administration Council representing the Myanmar Tatmadaw, made a summing-up review.
In this concluding remark, the Vice-Senior General said he is grateful to the ASEAN Army chiefs and senior military officers for their active discussions about the experiences in fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. And it has convinced the ASEAN armies of their role in the process of rehabilitation after the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe that we have had a lot of benefits thanks to the interesting and complete discussions. This meeting is part defence diplomacy of ASEAN. Through this meeting, the ASEAN army chiefs will be brought together with greater amity, understanding and trust. Then there will be better relations among the ASEAN armies and ASEAN defence forces. In a way, this meeting serves as an integral part of the effort to build a single ASEAN community under the theme of “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”. Through the corridors like ACAMM, we have the chance to discuss and share views on regional defence and security issues. And ASEAN will be able to seek solutions to addressing those issues. I would to express my thanks again to the ASEAN army chiefs for their discussions over fight against COVID-19 and rehabilitation efforts after the pandemic at today’s meeting. I am sure that the meeting would not have been successful without your cooperation. Thanks for your attendance and discussions. I believe that Vietnam, as a host country, will hold the ACAMM successfully next year. If the pandemic can be well controlled, I hope our friend army chiefs of ASEAN will have the chance to meet face to face at next year’s meeting. I wish you all good health and happiness.
Then, the AARM flag and ACAMM stand for chairmanship were handed over to Vietnamthat will host ACAMM XXIII , 30th ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet-AARM XXX and 10th ASEAN Sergeant Major Army Meets –ASMAM X. Vietnamese Military Attaché Senior Colonel Nguyen Thanh Dong accepted them on behalf of Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Nghia, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army.
Then, Warrant Officer Win Hlaing handed over the ASMAM ceremonial mace to the military attaché.
According to the agenda, an introductory video clip on Vietnam was shown in which Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Nghia extended greetings.
Later, the Vice-Senior General posed a group photo together with the military attachés from ASEAN countries based in Myanmar and embassy officials, and the ceremony was successfully concluded.
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